Barrel supporting and cooling device



May 1, 1934. C CLIFFORD 1,957,199

BARREL SUPPORTING AND COOLING DEVICE Filed Nov. 14, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q INVENTOR 122M722 z. [[zfiomi I I R BY q ATTORNEYS May 1, 1934. E. c. QLIFFORD BARREL SUPPORTING AND COOLIING DEVICE Filed Nov. 14, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 e ws 60 4 INVENTOR ZZZZW/rdfl ['Zz'fford 5/ /ci d ATTORNEYS Patented May 1, i934 EARREHI SUEPPQRTING AND GWDLING Edward C. @liafitord, Sand Lake, N. Y.

Application November i l. 1933, Serial No. 697,914

ill Claim.

This invention relates to supports for barrels and more particularly to supports having means therewithin for cooling the contents of barrels positioned in the support.

3 An object of the invention is to provide a support for a barrelof such construction as to hold the barrel in tilted position to aid in draining the contents therefrom.

Another object of the invention'is to provide in a support of the above character, means for circulating a cooling medium in close proximity to the parts of the barrel enclosed by the support.

Another object of the invention is to provide on the edges of the support contacting with the 35 barrel, resilient members which in conjunction with the barrel serve to prevent introduction of outside air to the members containing circulating cooling medium.

A further object of the invention is to provide 243 a support for barrels of such construction that the support substantially completely encircles the peripheral surfaces of the barrel.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a support made up of two similarlyshaped sections hinged together in such fashion that they can be separated to permit introduction of a barrel and then moved to enclose the barrel.

In the present invention the support for the barrel consists of two similarly shaped sections hinged together along one longitudinal edge to permit separation of the sections. These sections have an external configuration closely resembling the external configuration of a barrel in that their peripheral surfaces are given the same curvature as the peripheral surface of a barrel, but their ends are cut away so that when the sections are closed with a barrel therewithin, the ends of the barrel will extend slightly through the ends of the sections. The sections may be made of any 4o suitable material, such as wood, metal, etc., but

preferably use is made of stain resisting metal for cleanliness and sanitation.

Within the bottom sections is permanently fixed a net-work made up of a plurality ofinterconnected conduits which serve as a passage for the circulation of cooling medium. In one form of the invention a plurality of interconnected conduits are hingedly secured to the lower section so that they can be moved pivotally independently of the top section. These upper conduits are connected to the lower conduits by means of flexible tubes so that the cooling medium can be passed from the lower conduits into the upper conduits and then back to the lower section to pass therefrom to the agent serving to force circulation. In another form of the invention the upper section has a plurality of interconnected conduits permanently afdxed therein, so that when the upper section is moved pivotally the conduits move therewith; Again use is made of flexible tubular connections so that the cooling medium can be circulated, first through the conduits in one section, and then through the conduits in another section.

In order that entrance of outside air into the support when a barrel is positioned therein may be prevented, all edges of the supporting sections which contact with the barrel or with edges of the other section, are covered with a resilient gasketlike material which has good thermal insulating properties. In practice it has been found that sponge rubber serves admirably. In the preferred form of the invention the conduits are spaced from the walls of the sections and liner sheets of configuration similar to the configuration of the section walls are spaced from the section walls so that insulating material can be placed between the section walls and the liners. These liners preferably are made of metal, but other material may be used advantageously. The lower section is provided with a drain outlet communicating with the liner therein, whereby it is possible to drain any condensed moisture from this section. v

Other features, advantages, and objects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detail description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part of the same, wherein Fig. 1 is a plan view of a device embodying the invention with the top section separated from the lower section and with a net-work of conduits covering the top of a barrel in position over the barrel.

Fig. 2 is an end view of a device embodying the invention with a barrel enclosed therein.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the same device.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of an embodiment of theinvention with a barrel in position therein.

Fig. 5 is a partial View similar to Fig. 1 of .a modification of the invention, wherein cooling coils are permanently afiixed in the top section of the device, and

Fig. 6 is a detailed view of portions of conduits used for circulating cooling medium.

Referring now to the drawings, upper and lower sections of a supporting member are indicated at 10 and 11 respectively. The top section 10 is composed of a longitudinal wall 12 of curvature conforming to the curvature of a barrel, 110

such as for example, a beer barrel. To the ends of the wall 12 are secured end walls 14 and 15. The lower section 11 is provided with a longitudinal wall 16 similar in configuration to the wall 12 and with end walls 1'7 and 18. The end walls 14, 15, 17 and 18 have their inner edges of substantially semi-circular configuration as at 19 so that when the sections are closed as in Fig. 2, annular rings will be formed of pairs of end walls at the respective ends of the sections, with the walls 14 and 17 as one pair and the walls 15 and 18 as another pair. While the longitudinal walls and the end walls of the two sections have been shown in the drawings as being constructed of wood, it is to be understood that other materials of suitable nature can be used,- and preferably these walls are to be made of some stain and acid resisting metal, such as for example, stainless steel. Hinges 35 are provided to connect adjacent longitudinal edges of the sections while clamps 36 serve to lock the sections together.

Spaced from the wall 12 is a liner 19' of suitable material, such as metal, and of configuration similar to the configuration of the wall 12 and extending between the ends 14 and 15 to which it can be secured. .By this arrangement of outer wall and liner, a space of uniform height is provided in which is placed insulating material 20 which may be any suitable material having good thermal insulating properties. The lower section 11 is provided with a liner 21 similar to the liner 19 and with a space in which is placed insulating material 22 similar to insulating material 20.

Positioned in the lower section 11 is a net-work of conduits 25-so interconnected by means of elbows 26 that a continuous passage is provided from one extreme conduit to the other for the circulation of suitable cooling medium. These conduits 25 extend immediately above the liner 21 in such fashion as to provide a net-work which conforms to the outline and the shape of the liner 21, and, of course, to the walls 16. The net-work of conduits can be permanently secured in lower section 11 in any desired fashion.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1, use is made of a net-work of conduits 25 shaped in the same fashion as the net-work in the lower section, and due to the use of couplings 26 the net-work so formed will be more or less self-sustaining. As the result of this construction, it is possible to hinge the upper net-work to the lower section by means of hinges 40. It will be noted in Fig. 1 that a barrel is shown in position in partially heavy lines and partially broken lines, while some of the pipes of the upper net-work are shown in heavy lines in position covering substantially the top half of the peripheral surface of the barrel. Since this upper net-work is hingedly connected to the lower section, it is possible to swing the net-work out of obstructing position so that a barrel can be placed in the lower section or removed therefrom.

the end wall 17 into communication with one extreme conduit in the net-work of conduits in the lower section 11. The other extreme conduit of this net-work is connected by means of a flexible tube 46 to one extreme conduit of the upper network. The other extreme conduit of this upper net-work is connected to a pipe 47 which leads back to the hinged side of the net-work and is connected to a flexible tube 48, which in turn is connected to an outlet pipe 49 passing through the end of the wall 17 and leading back to the compressing and circulating apparatus. Thus a complete circulation of cooling medium, first through the lower net-work and then through the upper net-work, can be accomplished.

To protect the conduits of the lower net-work, use is made of a bar 50 fastened to the end wall 18 and extending longitudinally of the lower section 11 to the other end Wall 17 thereof, at which point it may be bent downwardly as at 51 to be embedded in the wall 16. If desired, however, it may be secured directly tothe end wall 1'7 in the same fashion as it is secured to the end wall 18. This protecting bar is in a slightly higher position than the net-work of conduits, so that it will prevent contact between a barrel and these conduits.

Since condensed moisture will collect within the support, it is necessary to provide means for withdrawing the same, especially when the support is being defrosted. A drain 52 communicates with the lowest point of the liner 21 and extends outwardly through the end wall 1'7. A valve can be provided therefore if desired.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 5, the net-work in the lower section is arranged in the same fashion as in Fig. 1. However, the network for the top of the barrel to be chilled is not independently hingedly mounted but is permanently fastened within the upper section 10 in the same fashion as the lower net-work is fastened in the lower section 11. Again use is made of a flexible tube 46 for communication between an extreme conduit of the lower net-work and an extreme conduit of the upper net-work, and use is made of a return pipe 47' communicating with a flexible tube 48' which is connected to the outlet pipe.

Strips of good thermal insulating material 60 are secured to each edge of the walls of the sections which contact with other edges, or which contact with a barrel positioned in the support, to insure that there will be substantially no circulation of outside air into the chilled space when a barrel is in position to be cooled. The material 60 may be of any suitable character, such as for example, sponge rubber, so long as it possesses good thermal insulating properties.

A prop 65 is used for tilting one end of the support when the support is resting on a horizontal surface. so that a barrel will be tilted sufficiently to insure proper draining of the contents thereof. The top section 10 may be provided with an'eye 67 to which is fastened either permanently or removably a rod 68 to serve as a prop for holding the upper section in partially open position if desired.

The operation and use of the device is substantially as follows: Assuming that it is resting'on a horizontal surface, such as a counter, bar, etc., with the prop 65 in the position shown in Fig. 6, the device may be made ready for the reception of a barrel of suitable contents, such as, beer, by moving the upper section 10 about the axis of its hinges sufficiently to render access to the lower section. If the device is as shown in Fig. 5, the upper net-work of cooling conduits will be carried along with the top section, since this net-work is permanently secured thereto. However, 'if the net-work is arranged as shown in'Figrl, it will be necessary to move this net-work pivotally about the axis of the hinges 40 an amount sufiicient to render the lower.sectionaccessible. A barrel B is then positioned in the lower section in the fashion shown in Fig. 4 with the spigot S arranged to be at the lowermost possible point. The upper net-work may then be moved pivotally to overlie the barrel after which the upper section 10 is moved pivotally to complete the enclosing of the longitudinal expanse of the 'barrei. Of course, if the arrangement shown n Fig. 5 is used, the step of swinging the upper net-work is omitted. The two sections are then clamped together by means of clamps 36, after which the device is in condition to cool the contents of the barrel. The cooling medium enters through the inlet 45, passes through the lower net-work of conduits and into the upper net-work of conduits, after which it leaves the device through the outlet 49 to be returned to the compressing and circulating apparatus. The contents of the barrel can be withdrawn at any desired time through the spigot S and if necessary a vent V can be provided forthe barrel. After the contents have been entirely withdrawn from the barrel, it can be removed from the device by reversing the steps previously stated, that is, by unlocking the clamps 36, swinging the cover about its axis, and if necessary, swinging the net-work of conduits about its axis.

The provision of a structure in which the longitudinal walls conform in shape to the longitudinal wall of a barrel and in which the conduits for circulating cooling medium have a corresponding curvature, makes it possible to cool the contents of the barrel with maximum eihciency. The provision of the resilient strips of insulating material at all edges which contact with other edges or with the barrel, assure that the air space within the cooling device will be a substantially dead air space when the barrel is positioned therein so. that cooling is greatly facilitated. Of course, the device may be made in a number of different sizes, but inasmuch as barrels are of more or less standard sizes, it will be seen that no difiiculty will be experienced in positioning any number of barrels of a specified size in a proper support. To compensate for any slight irregularities for barrel configuration, the protecting bar 50 is provided which asures that contact between the barrel surface and the conduits of the lower net-work will be prevented.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the pres ent invention provides a new, simple, novel and efficient device for cooling the contents of barrels, which device can be manufactured inexpensively and which will operate with a minimum ofexpense. It willbe evident that modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, in view of which it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments but is to be limited only by the scope of the following claims.

. I claim:

1. A device of the type described comprising a support for a barrel, such support having a configuration similar to that of a barrel and partially enclosing a barrel, and a net-work of conduits Within the support adjacent to substantially the entire enclosed surface of the barrel and forming a continuous passage'forcooling medium.

tions of the barrel, the conduits of each net-work being interconnected, and the net-works being permanently connected to form a single continuous passage for cooling medium.

3. A supporting and cooling device of the type described comprising a lower section and an up-. per section, means for securing said sections together to enclose partially a barrel, a lower network of conduits forming a passage for cooling medium, an upper net-work of conduits forming a passage for cooling medium, said net-works lying adjacent the surface of a barrel enclosed by said sections, and flexible connections between said net-works to form the conduits thereof into a continuous passage.

4. A supporting and cooling device of the type described comprising a lower section and an upper section, means for securing said sections together to enclose partially a barrel, a lower network of conduits forming a passage for cooling medium, an upper net-work of conduits forming a passage for cooling medium, said net-works lying adjacent the surface of a barrel enclosed by said sections, said upper net-work being movably secured to said lower section for movement relative thereto independently of said upper section.

5. A supporting and cooling device of the type described comprising a lower section and an upper section, means for securing said sections together to enclose partially a barrel, a lower network of conduits forming a passage for cooling medium, an upper net-work of conduits forming a passage for cooling medium, said net-works lying adjacent the surface of a'barrel enclosed by said sections, said upper net-work being permanently secured within said upper section.

6. A supporting and cooling device of the type described comprising a lower section and an upper section, means for securing said sections together to enclose partially a barrel, 9. lower net-work of conduits forming a passage for cooling medium, an upper net-work of conduits forming a passage for cooling medium, said net-works lying adjacent the surface of a barrel enclosed by said sections, said upper net-work being movably secured to said lower section for movement relative thereto independently of said upper section, and connections between said net-works to form the conduits thereof into a continuous passage.

7. A supporting and cooling device of the type described comprising a lower section and an upper section, means for securing said sections together to enclose partially a barrel, a lower network of conduits forming a passage for cooling medium, an upper net-Work oi conduits forming a passage for cooling medium, said net-works lying adjacent the surface of a barrel enclosed by said sections, said upper net-work being permanently secured within said upper section, and

connections between said net-works to form the conduits thereof into a continuous passage.

8. A device of the type described comprising a lower section and an upper section hingedly socured together to enclose partially a barrel, said sections when closed having an external shape similar to that. of a barrel, and lower and upper net-works of conduits for the passage of cooling medium, said net-works lying adjacent the enclosed barrel, the edges of each section making contact with the edges of the other section and with the barrel being provided with gaskets "of resilient insulating material to form a substan 9. A device of the character described comprising complementary enclosing sections, means for securing said sections together to enclose partially a barrel, said sections when secured together having an external shape similar to that of a barrel, and a net-work of conduits secured within each section to lie adjacent an enclosed barrel, and the net-work of one section being permanently connected to that of another section whereby a single continuous passage for cooling medium is formed.

10. A device of the character described comprising complementary enclosing sections, means for securing said sections together to enclose partially a barrel, said sections when secured together having an external shape similar to that of a barrel, and a net-work of conduits for each section forming a passage for cooling medium,

the net-work for one section being hingedly secured to another section whereby it may be moved independently of its section.

11. A device of the character described comprising complementary enclosing sections, means for securing said sections together to enclose partially a barrel, said sections when secured together having an external shape similar to that of a barrel, a liner in each section, insulating material between the liner and the outer wall of the section, a net-work of conduits secured within each section to lie adjacent an enclosed barrel, said conduits being permanently interconnected to form a continuous passage for cooling medium, and a drain leading from the liner of the lowermost section.

EDWARD C. CLIFFORD. 

